Covering all the bases with whatever's bouncing around in my head today!

Phinally – Let’s Play Ball!

Spring training exhibition games have finally started! In fact, I am listening to the Phillies face the Pirates in Bradenton at this very moment. I’m a pretty visual person, so I always have a hard time following games on the radio. I’m anticipating the first TV broadcast of the spring – for you Phillies fans out there, that will be this Saturday at 1:05 pm, when the Phillies will face Tampa Bay in Clearwater.

Currently, it’s scoreless in the top of the second inning, and Matt Capps has just walked three straight Phillies. Dang! Bruntlett just grounded into a double-play to end the threat. Oh well. I’d better concentrate on typing.

Just for a visual, here’s a couple of photos of McKechnie Field in Bradenton, where the Phillies are playing today:

Here, then, are the answers, with a little extra info for those of you, like me, who love to fill your heads with knowledge:

1. The Rookie is based on the true story of Jim Morris, who is portrayed by Dennis Quaid in the movie. Morris pitched for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1999 and 2000, appearing in 21 games with a 4.80 ERA.

2. The character of Jimmy Dugan is loosely based on real-life Hall-of-Famer Jimmie Foxx. After a 20-year career that saw him elected to the Hall of Fame in 1951, he spent one season (1952) managing the Fort Wayne Daisies in the AAGPBL.

4. The only non-Red Sox item in Ben’s apartment in Fever Pitch is Yankee toilet paper.

5. In Rookie Of The Year, Barry Bonds is also joined by Bobby Bonilla and Pedro Guerrero as stikeout victims of 12-year-old Henry.**unrelated tidbit** I was shocked – shocked, I tell you! – to see the actor who plays Henry, Thomas Ian Nicholas, all grown up into horny teenage Kevin in American Pie.

6. Bennie “The Jet” Rodriguez dreams about Babe Ruth in The Sandlot.

7. Archibald “Moonlight” Graham appeared in one game for the New York Giants on June 29, 1905. He had entered the game as a defensive substitution, and was on deck when the game ended, so he never got to bat.

8. Former White Sox outfielder Ken Berry was a technical adviser for the movie Eight Men Out, about the 1919 “Black Sox” scandal.

9. A photo of Thurman Munson, along with a headline about his death in a plane crash, can be seen in Annie Savoy’s shrine during the end credits of Bull Durham.**extra tidbit** Thanks to Mets Main Man for pointing out to me that there was a real Bull Durham. He played for several different teams from 1904-1909, compiling a 5.28 ERA in 9 games.

10 Comments

Sue,
That was a really cool quiz that you gave us yesterday! I’ve only listened to a few games on the radio– I’m a visual person myself as well. The last game I listened to on the radio was Manny’s last game as a Red Sox. I remember it perfectly, it was so depressing. John Lackey carried a no hitter into the ninth– the Red Sox were dead that night.
-Elizabethhttp://redsoxgirl46.mlblogs.com

Julia – I have to wait until Saturday to watch the Phils in HD glory – looking forward to it! Hope the Sox did well.
Elizabeth – I try so hard to visualize the game when it’s on the radio, it’s dangerous for me to drive! I’ve almost gone off the road during particularly exciting moments!
Sue

Sue it was pretty exciting today hearing some familiar names and thinking about all the great things going on in the game! I’m glad you liked the Timeout with Rays Renegade. He’s a standup guy and awesome baseball fan! I have yet to do a Philly fan so I’ll have to keep you in mind : )
Tomhttp://rockymountainway.mlblogs.com

I am definitely a visual person too, it’s like being at an auction and you’re like, “wait… what happened?” At least that’s how it is with me. But I think we’re all glad spring training is here!!!
Emilyhttp://deconstructingthoughts.mlblogs.com/

Mna, I totally missed the quiz! My internet connection in this hotel is like touch and go…I’ve been posting each day and then getting off this damn computer before it crashes! Seems to be working today…fingers crossed! Anyhow, nice job on the quiz!

I LOVE THE ROOKIE!!!! But I totally forgot Jimmy’s last name :) I love listening to the game on the radio, probably because that’s the way I’ve always had to do it. Whenever I get to watch a game on TV, I feel like I’m missing something (the radio broadcast).http://kaybee.mlblogs.com

Jane – we all know by now that you are a true fan!
Tom – thanks for doing the Timeout series; they are really interesting!
Emily – so glad I am not the only one with this visual problem!
Jenn – hotel connections are so unpredictable! Hope you are having great weather down there!
Mets Main Man – enjoy being special! I aim to make everyone happy!
Kaybee – yes, “The Rookie” is truly an inspirational story. You know, I’ve heard of people who will watch on TV with the sound off and listen to the radio broadcast – I guess it depends which announcers you prefer.
Sue

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